|
|
| Author |
Message |
karatekid1975
KF VIP
Joined: 26 Mar 2002
Posts: 4588
Location: Upstate NY
Styles: Tang Soo Do/TKD/jujitsu
|
 Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2005 6:30 pm Post subject: My Journey Thus Far (Part 2) |
 |
|
This post was originally published as an article in a dedicated KarateForums.com Articles section, which is no longer online. After the section was closed, this article was most to the most appropriate forum in our community.
This is a continuation of my "My Journey Thus Far" article. If you haven't read it already, please do so that you can know where I left off.
The school that I was referring to that I left my first TKD school for wasn't what I expected. My article "What I Have Learned" covers why. The main thing that I wrote about in that article was that I learned a major lesson about humility and modesty while I was training there. I earned my red belt there, but I feel I didn't earn it. Needless to say, I left there and went back to the first TKD dojang.
One of the major reasons why I left is that, I felt I was thrown into teaching. As I said in the article:
| Quote: |
| I was an assistant instructor there. I learned a lot about teaching. But even the kids had the "rank" had ego. Because of the color around my waist, I was treated like I wasn't "worthy." They would try to use their rank against me. Then I would tell them to respect your elders. They didn't know what I meant. These kids don't have any discipline or respect. It was really hard for me to try to teach them that when the master instructor doesn't teach it. |
I was also asked to teach at the YMCA for my instructor. He wanted to have an adult teach there. I kind of didn't have a choice. I was the only adult available to teach there at the time. I learned something from this experience as well. I was kind of thrown into teaching. It was very hard for me. When I had a question or concern, I didn't have a black belt or instructor to ask. I was just a blue belt at the time and I was alone. I was very uncomfortable doing this. I should have said no, because I didn't have the experience and I wasn't a black belt. I learned by trail and error. Even though the kids at the YMCA were good kids, for the most part, I eventually stopped teaching there. It was overwhelming teaching 25+ kids with no help or experience.
Anyways, when I came back here (the first TKD school), I was told that it was possible to keep my rank. I actually didn't want to keep my red belt. I didn't earn it. But the first day back, I was told to wear my blue belt. I was very happy to do so. I was told by a couple of people that it takes modesty to start where you left off, instead of keeping my red belt. I told them that it does, but that wasn't the reason that I wanted to start from blue belt. I didn't earn my red belt (or my brown for that matter), therefore I did not want to keep it. As far as I was concerned, I was still a blue belt, the one I earned from here in the first place.
I eventually got back to red belt. I feel I earned it this time. My master instructor changed his curriculum, which is more self defense based and I had to relearn everything. I also had to change a few forms that I learned in the other school. But it was well worth the hard work.
As a red belt, I have to help out in the beginner and intermediate classes. I was kind of scared to do this from my previous teaching experience. But the first class I helped with wasn't so bad. I had the senior instructor and two black belts showing me what to do. If I have a question or concern, I have them there to answer them for me. I'm not doing this alone anymore. I am learning from the experienced ones. I was very comfortable with it this time. Teaching a beginner their new form or a kick, to see their face when they get it right, is the most amazing experience. This is nothing like it was when I taught for my last instructor. This is much better. This is giving me the experience for my own school in the future. I want to thank everyone at USA Masters Academy for this.
_________________
Laurie F |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Patrick
KF Administrator
Joined: 01 May 2001
Posts: 28758
Location: Los Angeles, California
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Jay
Black Belt
Joined: 20 May 2005
Posts: 1190
|
| Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2005 7:39 am Post subject: |
|
|
Nice Article 
_________________
The key to everything is continuity achieved by discipline. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
karatekid1975
KF VIP
Joined: 26 Mar 2002
Posts: 4588
Location: Upstate NY
Styles: Tang Soo Do/TKD/jujitsu
|
| Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2005 6:27 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks I'm still at the same rank that I was when I wrote that LOL.
_________________
Laurie F |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
orion82698
Brown Belt
Joined: 04 Jan 2005
Posts: 707
Location: Gym
Styles: Barking Spider
|
| Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2005 10:26 am Post subject: |
|
|
Congrats! I'm very happy for you! Keep pushing. It's so hard to find a school, that not only respects you as a person, and your opinion, but as a MA too.
Again, congrats, and good luck on your future teachings and tests!
_________________
I don't have to be the best, just better than you!
Working towards 11% BF and a Six pack |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
y2_sub
Black Belt
Joined: 21 Feb 2005
Posts: 1201
Styles: Officially switched to boxing , formally kyokushin karate
|
| Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2005 11:53 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Nice article indeed
_________________
Moon might shine upon the innocent and the guilty alike |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bushido_man96
KF Sensei
Joined: 31 Mar 2006
Posts: 30188
Location: Hays, KS
Styles: Taekwondo, Combat Hapkido, Aikido, GRACIE, Police Krav Maga, SPEAR
|
| Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2006 3:40 am Post subject: |
|
|
Another great article, Laurie.
When I first started to help out teaching, I can remember being so nervous. I can't imagine what it would have been like, being thrown to the wolves like that.
I love teaching now, but who knows if it had been like that! I am glad to hear the you enjoyed assisting.
_________________
www.haysgym.com
http://www.sunyis.com/
www.aikidoofnorthwestkansas.com |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
on the post.
